Maman a Paris!!

For the last part of my spring break, I had the pleasure of having my old roommate Marina, our family friend Marcia and MY MOTHER come to Paris for a WHOLE WEEK!! We had a wonderful time, but for a change of pace, I'm going to let my mommy share her observations and photos after her first trip to Paris :)

These two ran us ragged but we enjoyed every minute!

What in the world is this you are wondering?  Someone standing on a box looking for some quick cash dressed for Halloween.

Our kitchen and talk about tiny but adequate by Paris standards, I guess.  

Those girls looking so chipper and ready for dessert, again.

Euros: Rachel says they look like play money, I agree.

Such a Parisian view, classy woman and her escort.

The women wear hosiery, any kind. Mens' shoes are very pointy and jeans with black jackets, subway attire.

And you thought the French weren't orderly...

Notre Dame, reminds me of the book I read, "Pillars of The Earth" by Ken Follett.  Seeing this cathedral up close and personal brings the book to life.

Rachel playing tourist with us.

The back of Note Dame, probably more beautiful than the front.

Here they are, two lovely Parisian women, wearing stockings and chatting, what women do best of course.

What can I say about all the beautiful buildings, flowers, and doors, those amazing doors.

Rachel, knock it off!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You lucky ones who got a post card, they were sent with a kiss!

Why do you think I have a smile on my face? ;)

Knock it off, Marcia!

Those French light bulbs, which we Americans now HAVE to have, but in giant form.

Jane, which sewing girl do you recognize?

The Louvre, so grand, grand, grand!

Look at these people, fools really, trying to find the Mona Lisa. She's that speck on the back wall folks!

Arc de Triomphe. I was looking for Lance doing his victory lap but he was no where in sight.  Kempie, this one is for you.

Versailles: I have never seen such beautiful gardens. 247 acres. And people, you have never seen so many people but the day was so pretty and we walked miles and miles.  The girls went cycling.

Subway riding: smelly, loud and confusing.

Umbrellas, who wouldn't want to buy one here.  Exquisite!!!!!

Even grandmothers love the park.

This picture is outside our front window.  Typically Paris.

St. George's Anglican Church, Easter Sunday, April 2011

This lunch was our favorite, I had salmon and Rachel, duck at George V on the Champs-Elysees.  Didn't see Lance here either. 

I just can't describe how beautiful the churches are, works of art, lovely built to the glory of God.  How sad on Easter Sunday the Parisians didn't seem to see the need for God.

Yes, this is a mole sculpture. Don't ask me why.

Parisian dining includes linen, stemmed glasses, and lots of time to eat.

Marcia is at it again!

(photo credit: Marina)

This church in Montmartre: the organist began playing when we walked into the door.  Marcia and I looked at each other and thought, WOW!  

Mrs. H, three floors of fabric. Overwhelming.

Sacre-Coeur, the cathedral just minutes away from our apartment.

Rachel and I in the window at Versailles.

I wanted to try the throne but the case was too hard to remove.  

Yes, I had such a splendid time in Paris, a dream come true.

(Doesn't my mommy look so pretty!!)

Rachel couldn't resist this subway sign. Yes, that is gum in her mouth, REAL gum.

Trying to amuse Rachel once again.

Lindy, this one is for you. Wisteria blooming and blooming upon our arrival.

Do I look tired? I was! Remember I told you these girl wore us out!

Well, Monday night and Marcia and I leave tomorrow morning and Rachel returns to school.   This trip was a dream come true for Marcia and a true delight for me to be with Rachel where she has studied and lived for a few months.  I have made some observations about the French simply by observing their behaviors so here goes.  I am very surprised by:

- how much the French smoke

- how much they love their baby carriages

- there are eggs sold only by the half dozen

- scarves and more scarves

- toilets: where are they anyway??

- expensive taxi cabs, Mercedes in fact

- taking pictures of art work (famous art work)

- and the small dog that sat next to me at dinner, woof, woof.  

Time to pack and get up early.  

Au revoir!

Barbara

P.S. For the lovely book club ladies... Fulia and I outside Sacre-Coeur and overlooking the city, Montmantre

Les vacances de printemps - Part 2

St. Jean de Luz. South of France, fifteen minutes from the Spanish border. This is the view from the top of the house which a member of my church's choir owns. I've been singing with the choir since my first few weeks in Paris for Sunday mass. We went on a four day, two performance "tour" of this city which conveniently fell on my spring break. It took us ten hours to drive down from Paris, but as you can see, it was definitely worth it. I greatly enjoyed getting to see another part of France, and especially getting to know the people in choir better.

Sophia and May, some fellow students, looking out over the water after our arrival.

Then we realized the beach was just down the hill...

Excitement!!

We had about six hours of rehearsal in addition to our two concerts, but we had plenty of time for relaxing on the beach and exploring the town.

These ladies were sitting at the back of the beach. They looked like they were having fun.

This dog was chasing sticks and finally found a huge branch he was trying to burry. And of course this little girl was just adorable.

Hiked up this hill with Lizzie. We thought the little white building would be some pretty old church or something, but alas it was just a boarded up building. But the view was lovely.

We went into town a bit after climbing the hill. They had several great chocolate shops which were all decked out for Easter or "Paques" as it's called in French. We bought painted dark chocolate hens for the ladies who helped organize the trip and for Emma who drove us down. We had much too much fun picking them out.

Here's some shots of the second church we sang in. It was up on this hill in the middle of a little villa surrounded by a golf course. So wonderful to be able to sing in such beautiful places.

View of the graveyard surrounding the church.

Being a part of the choir has been such a blessing to me since I've been here. Having the group has really given me a place to fit in in this big city and given me the opportunity to get to know some great people. Everyone is so gracious and sweet that I never feel like I have to try to make friends with them. I'm in the choir and that is that.There's no contest, no effort. Singing comes free and easy.

We stopped for a roadside picnic on our journey home. Cheese, baguettes, and sunshine. We kept putting off going our separate ways when we returned. No one wanted to go back to real life.   :)